The Fruitful Season: Part 4

As I sat reading Sarah’s latest, almost completed, Moody book out loud after family Bible time to help her with her editing, Steve said, “Sarah, I don’t know how you come up with conversation in your books like you do. I could never do that.”

While Steve and I have a heart for our children to have books to read that are a godly encouragement for them, we don’t have the time nor the abilities to write those kinds of books. However, the Lord has put those same desires on Sarah’s heart and given her the talent plus the time to write children’s books.

Sarah

Those books have led children to salvation, personal Bible reading, obedience to parents, serving others, being industrious, and much more. We have reports that the books are role models for young Christian families who have not grown up in Christian homes. Plus we hear over and over that the Moody books are favorite books with the children and sometimes dads and moms too.

In addition, when our first book was printed in 1999, Sarah was finishing high school. She became our office manager. I was still a busy homeschool mom, and Steve was working full time. Neither of us had time available to fill book orders, take phone calls, and research tax issues for out-of-state conferences.

All those years homeschooling — teaching English, writing, math, diligence, perseverance, ingenuity — are now manifesting their fruit. Steve and my ministry is helped, enlarged, and broadened way beyond what we could ever imagine because of what the Lord has done in Sarah’s life and how she is choosing to serve Him.

The fruitful years will come if you will continue faithful in what the Lord has called you to do with your children.

Trusting in Jesus,
Teri

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Related

23 thoughts on “The Fruitful Season: Part 4”

SOOOOOOOO excited to hear that another Moody book is on the way! Our children love them and we are on our last one! Our children have been looking for different ways to bless us and others, talking even more about salvation and everyone’s need for Jesus, I can’t thank you enough for writing this series… There’ll be a new book published bi-yearly, right??? 🙂

I am so glad for Sarah’s example of a godly young woman. I have not had that much in my life and I so appreciate all of the hard work you and Mr. Maxwell put into training your children! =:D It is nice to have someone to look up to for an example on how to be a godly young woman and follower of Christ! I can’t wait to read your next book Sarah! You are so talented! May God continue to bless all of you in your ministry and in your family! =:D

We too are so glad to hear of the new Moodys book, and look forward to its release.

Teri, I also want to commend you and Steve for not pushing your adult children out of the nest when they reach a certain age. In our society, it is considered normal to strike out on your own, and get set up in an apartment, just because you have turned 18. I sometimes want to ask, “WHY???” This lifestyle only encourages selfishness. Psalm 68:6 says that God sets the solitary in families. Our attempts to “improve” God’s way have only brought trouble. Remaining at home has allowed Sarah to devote her time to serving others.

Our daughter loves the Moody books and is constantly reading the things that Madelyn says, she thinks they are so cute. I told her you are coming out with a new one and she is going to save her birthday money until then. Do you have any idea when it will be published?

Your family has had a significant impact on many areas of our life, from the Moody series to Managers of Their Homes to Keeping our Children’s Hearts. We are truly thankful to the Lord for leading you in this ministry!
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The goal by September.

Thank you for sharing yet another encouraging blog. I am so thankful that you stayed the course and can help those behind to walk worthy of the call. Your family is appreciated. Glad to hear there is another Moody book in the works!

Thank you for sharing this series of the fruitful season. Being in the “not -so-fruitful season”…i.e.the preschool/preteen years…it is such an encouragement to hear all that lies ahead if we are faithful!

Moody books are a favorite in our home!! I am also thrilled that we are beginning to see the fruit in our almost 16 year old twins. It is so true that the fruit comes and I am so humbled and blessed to be able to say that I “like” as well as love my children. I love who they are turning into and their heart for the Lord makes all of the days of training when they were younger so worth it!!! Thank you for your fine example over the years. It has been a joy and encouragement to “watch” the Maxwell kids grow up as well.

Yahoo!! Another book! Wait until I tell the kids. I think we have the first four memorized – we read them over and over. Thank you Sarah for your diligence in writing another one! And thank you Teri for your encouragement in bringing our children up by what the Lord has called us to do – I would never wish these years away, but I am looking forward to the fruitful season that you are in 🙂 Blessings!

It is encouraging to hear tales of the “other side”. I often despair that I am making any headway with teaching them manners and responsibility and godliness. Then, this week we had two compliments from strangers. When we were leaving the YMCA Wednesday, my 10 yod held the door for another lady (without my prompting). The lady was so appreciative I thought she was going to hug us. Last night we went out to eat, and the man in the booth behind us complimented us as he was leaving on our quiet children. Obviously he didn’t see them fighting over straws and making faces at each other across the table. But they were doing it quietly!

Sarah, looking forward to your next book. We have enjoyed reading your books together as a family. Your writings have inspired my children to pursue godliness in their lives. Thank you for writing. May God continue to bless your writings.
Kerry

Thank you all for your notes of encouragement :-). It is a thrill to my heart to hear how the Lord is using the Moodys. Please pray, if you think of it, for me over the next few weeks as I work to finalize the book with edits. I desire that the Lord would direct on all that is in the book!

Amen! What good and encouraging posts! It is my prayer that our children will grow up to love and serve the Lord in ways that Daniel and I never could. When the days are long and I’m tired, I just think of “sowing and reaping” and that truth always encourages me to be steadfast and keep laboring knowing that the fruit that will come will be so much more than worth it. It truly gives me so much joy to know your family and see you all loving and serving the Lord together. Thank you for blessing and teaching other what the Lord has taught you.
We’re home now! YEA! Thank you for your love and prayers. Praise the Lord for all He’s done…He is so good!
love,
Jaynee

I forgot…ANOTHER MOODY BOOK! 🙂 Sarah, God has truly given you a gift for writing and a heart for Him which is cleary portrayed through each book.
The Moody books are definately one of our favorites. I read them outloud over and over to the children not just because we enjoy the story so much, but I appreciate so much how they encourage the children to walk with the Lord, love Him, love their family, and serve Him together. Our children began writing sweet notes to eachother and daddy/mommy through those books 🙂
love,
Jaynee

I am so excited to hear the new book is almost complete! We are on the last one and they have been such a blessing to us. When I purchased them for my daughters I never though they would impact our lives the way they have. My husband picked the first one up and started reading it to them before he deployed to Iraq. He just recently returned and picked up right where he left off. He reads to us each night and not only do our children learn something but we do too. Thank you so much Sarah for your books, they are such an encouragement to our family!

My kids love your books, Sarah! They are ages 13, 11, and 7. I spend several nights reading the books aloud at bedtime, and then my younger ones love to take the books off and read them again and again to themselves. Even though my 13y, almost 14yo son doesn’t choose to read the books on his own, he still never wants to miss a read-aloud of the Moody’s. 🙂